Toy boat or glider



June 13, 1944. w, H, PAULL TOY BOAT OR GLID 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July51 INVENTOR. BY. Zal'am/ ATTORNEYS June 13, 1944. w. H. PAULL TOY BOATOR GLIDER Filed-July s1, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

Patentedl June 13, 1.944l

UNITE-D2 STATES ATENT OFFICE l' f 2,351,542 f I V 'roY BOAT or. GLIDERwilliam n. Pauu, Highland Park, 111.

Application July 31, 1940, Serial No. 348,885

7 Claims.

This invention relates to toys, and more particularly to toys of theclass of boats, gliders and the like.

It is an object of the invention to provide a toy boat and gliderstructure of improved and simplified construction.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a structure of thetype stated which may be readily fabricated and assembled and which morespecifically may be collapsed for transport, shipment, orl the like, andreadily assembled when desired Afor use. y y

A still further object of the invention is to provide a toy boat andglider construction of universal character usable on land, ice, or inthe water.

Another object is to provide a toy boat of the type stated whichy isoperable in character, and to that end the invention contemplates theproportioning and arrangement of the structural parts inv such a mannerthat the structure is self-operable and controllable when placed on orin a suitable supporting surface or medium, and whenr subjected to thepropelling action of the wind... x

Various additional objects,V advantages, and features of the inventionwill be apparent from the following specification when taken inconnection with the accompanying drawings wherein certain preferredAembodiments of the invention .are set forth for purposes` ofillustration.

In the drawingswherein like reference numerals refer to like partsthroughout:

Fig. 1 is a general assembly perspective view of a toy boat and gliderconstructed in accordance with one preferred form of the invention.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the structure of Fig. 1, but showingthesamein .collapsed vcondition Vas for transport, shipment, or the like.

Fig. 3 is .apartialsdetail on an enlarged scale of the upper. mast.construction and associated arts. f. p Fig. 4 isa transversesectionalview through the construction .of Fig. 1 onthe line 4-4thereof.

Fig. 5 isl a verticalsectional view of the structure on the line 5 5 ofFig. 1.`

Fig. 6 is a detail of one lof the pontoons or support elements, andshowing the same when conditioned for operation upon ice.

Fig. 7 is a sectional View through the structure of Fig. 6 on the line.'I-I thereof.

Fig. 8. lis a'detail view of a supportelement of a modified type, andparticularly adapted for ice operation, and

Fig. 9 is a sectional view through the element of Fig. 8 on the line `99 thereof.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, and first to Fig. 1thereof, it will be seen that the structure in general comprises a bodyIII formed of a main longitudinal frame member and a cross frame member2, a mast I3, jib and main sails I4 and I5, and a series ofsupportingelements I5, I'I and I8 of universal character and adapted tosupport the structure on land, ice or water, as will later be moreparticularly described.

More specifically, thej longitudinal frame member II forms the supportfor the mast I3 and to that end is provided with a recess or opening 20as best shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 5, in which the lower end |3a of themast is loosely pivotally received. The mast I3 which, like the framemembers I| and I2 is preferably of wood, carries an eye-screw 2| at itsupper end forming the anchorage for the jib-sail support cord orforestay 22 and for a pair of mast support cords or stays 23 and 24. Thecords 23 and 24 are secured at their upper ends to the eye-screw 2|, andat their lower ends carry rings 25 and 26 respectively, Fig. 4, adaptedto be removably associated with a pair of hook screws 21 and 28 anchoredto the cross frame member I2.

The upperl end of the jib-sail I4 is folded over as indicated at |4a,Fig. 3, and sewed or otherwise secured whereby to form a. loop anchoragefor the forestay cord 22, and the lower edge of the jib-sail is alsofolded over and sewed to form a tubular receiving pocket for a jib-boommember 3U, Fig. 5. Thepocket is closed at its forward end by foldingover and sewing the sail cloth as indicated at Mb whereby to prevent thejib-boom from sliding forwardly from the pocket, and the forward end ofthe boom carries an eye-screw 3| connected to an eye-screw 32 anchoredin the forward end of the longitudinal frame member The rear end of thejibboom carries an eye-screw 33 to which one end of the jib-sheet cord34 is connected, the

cord being led through the loop of an eye-screw 35 and removably tied atits other end to a cleat 36. The cleat isl carried upon a supportplatform 3l in turn suitably mounted upon the main longitudinal framemember I I, by suitable means such as screws or the like.

The main sail I5 is secured to the mast I3 by means of sewing itsforward edge to forma tubular mast-receiving pocket, the upper end ofthe pocket being closed by sewing over the sail cloth as indicated atI5a, Fig. 3, whereby to prevent the sail L.from sliding verticallydownward with respect to the mast. The lower edge of the main sail isalso folded over and sewed to form a tubular pocket to receive andsupport a main sail-boom 4U, similar to the arrangement described inreference to the jib-sail construction. 'I'he forward end of the mainsail-boom carries a yoke-screw 4 I, the bifurcated arms of which areadapted to embrace the mast I3, and the boom adjacent its rear endcarries an eye-screw 42 to whichone end of the main sail-sheet orcontrol cord 43 is adapted to be adjustably secured or tied. The otherend of cord 43 is secured to the rear end of a pivoted tiller bar 44.

'Ihe construction of the tiller bar and associated parts will be bestunderstood from Figs. 1 and 4. More specifically, the tiller is providedwith a depending shank portion' 44a formed at its lower end -44b as ascrew and thereby anchored in the support element I8. Shank 44al islooselyjournaled in the frame member I I,'and is provided witha collar45 adapted to engage the upper face ofy member II whereby to prevent'relative axial motion between the parts. A lighttorsion spring 46anchored atits lower end 46a to the frame member'I I and at its upperend 4Gb tothe ktiller, servesnormally to hold the'tiller and thesupport;V element I8 in the position shown in Figs. 1 and '4. However,it will be seen thatfas the cord 43 is pulled in one direction or theother by the movement ofV the main sail-boom, pivotal motion is impartedto the tiller and the Asupport element I8' secured thereto, the partsrotating with respect to the therewith previously described.

As shown in Figs. l to 6 inclusive, the support elements I6, IIand I8are in thev form of pontoons and are preferably constructed of Ysomelight'wood s'uch'as balsam wood or the like. Element I8`7is secured` inposition by the means previously described. Elements I6 and I1 areprovided with transverse recesses adapted to receive the ends ofthe'cross frame member I2, the elements being secured to the framemember by suitablev means such as'screws 50 and 5I, Fig, 4. The framemembers I I and I2 are removably secured together by a bolt 52, Figs. 1and 5, and an associated wing nut 53, the frame membersV being providedwith cooperating recesses or cut-away portions IIa and I'2a, Fig. 2, soVthat they maybe rmly locked in position and held against relativerotation by means of the Ibolt and wing nut when inthe assembledposition shown in Figs. 1 and 5.

The support elements or pontoons I6, I'I and I8 Yrender the toy usableasa boat in water, and additionally suitable means is adapted to bereplaceably associated therewith to render the construction usable onland andV ice as well. To this end,V as best shown 'in-Figs. 4 and 5,the pontoons are provided -with longitudinally extending rslots IIa,VI'Ia and Isa Vrespectively in which wheelsor rollers 55, A56 and 51 areadapted to be mounted by suitable support axles such as pins B, 59'and60. `Preferably the axles are of brass or the like to preclude rustingif the wheels are left in the pontoons when thetoy is used in water;Also, the wheels preferably are supplied with brass bearings, forexample as Vindicated at 55a, Fig. 4, for support on the axles. Thewheels render the toy usable as a land glider. The pins 58, 59 and 60,while normally fitting suiii- \ciently tightly within the pontoons so asto prevent inadvertent separation of the parts, may be frame IIbyreason' of,V the journal connection pushed axially by the applicationof manual force whereby to permit the removal of the wheels and thesubstitution of sheet metal ice runners such as indicated at 6I in Figs.6 and '7. By this means the toy is adapted for use as an ice boat. Theparts are so constructed and arranged as to render the toy operable as aboat or glider, as the case may be, when subjected to the propellingforce of the wind. In an illustrative embodiment the longitudinal framemember II may be on the order of twenty-six inches in length, the crossframe member I2 may be on the order of fourteen inches in length and themast I3 may be on the order of twenty-seven inches in length, the otherparts being substantially in the proportion illustrated by the drawings.It is to be understood, however, that the size of the structure may bevaried, preserving these relative proportions, or the proportions may beotherwise varied, if desired. The frame members II and I2 and the mastI3, as well as the booms 3U and r4I), are preferably of wood so as.torender the structure of relatively light weight, the support platform3'I lending su-ilcientmassto Ythe body so as to stabilize theconstruction and prevent it from tipping in ordinary winds. YWith theparts so constructed and'arranged, when the toy is subjected to thepropelling lforce of the wind it is operably movable as a boat or gliderwhen supported on or in a suitable medium. For use in water thevpontoonsI6,II Vand I8 alone Vwill act as the support means. On land the wheels55, 5'6 and 51 may belapplied, Aand on ice the runners such as therunners 6I y'may be substituted. The position of the jlb-sail I4 may beadjusted, if desired, by the adjustable connection between the controlcord Orstring 34 and the cleat' 536. Similarly, the permissible range ofmovement of the mainfsail I5` may beadjusted by reason of the adjustableconnection between the Ycontrol cord or string 43 and the eye-screw 42.Additionally as the main sail is stressed by the wind, the cord 43 tendsto rotate vthe Ytiller Iandthe associated support element I8 against theaction of spring 4B whereby to hold the'structure into the wind. By thismeans actual taclringV into the wind, within reasonable limits, may beaccomplished. Normally the spring 46 yieldingly holds the support'element I8 in the position shownin Fig.1. f'. A further and importantfeature of theinvention is the facility with which the structure may becollapsedas for transport, packaging, or shipment and reassembled as'mayb desired for use. To this end, referring to Figsf4 Vand 5, it will'. beseen that merely by loosening the wing nut 153 and by disassociating'therings-25 and 26 from the hook screws 2l and 28, and by removing the mastI3 from its support socketllL'the structure may be collapsed into thecompact arrangement illustrated in Fig..2. More particularly, as thewing nut 53 is loosened, the itwofsupportfr'ame members I I and I2 maybe vertically shifted and relatively rotated into`'the Yposition shownin' Fig. 2. The'removal of the rings'v 25 and 26 'fromthe hooks 21 and28 permits this motion, and'also permits the removal ofthemast I3fromitssup- Y port pocket 2li. Asfthemast structure is collapsed, theyoke-screw 4I permits the main sail boom to be readily disassociatedfromtheIIiaSt. The jib-boom support hooks 3| 'and-32"are also relativelypivotable'to permit such relative movement as mayy be required.` For themost part, however, the various support cords remain tied in position sothat the parts wiunpt becomer 'disassociated and may be again assembledin the position shown in Fig. 1 by the repositioning of the three orfour elements mentioned.

In Figs. 8 and 9 an arrangement is illustrated wherein the supportelements such as the illustrated element |6a are smaller than thesupport elements as shown in Fig. 1, so as not to act as pontoons, andthe ground contacting member associated therewith, such as the icerunner 6I a, is permanently associated with the support element byrivets such as indicated at 65 and 66. In this form of construction thestructure would be adapted for water or land use by the substitution ofpontoons, or support elements having permanently associated wheels, byremoval of the screws, previously described, such as illustrated at 50.In other words, in the construction of Figs. 8 and 9 the supportelements themselves may be substituted with respect to the frame toadapt the toy for various types of supporting f surfaces or mediums.

It is obvious that various changes may be made in the specificembodiments set forth without departing from the spirit of theinvention. The invention is accordingly not to be limited to thespecific embodiments shown and described, but only as indicated in thefollowing claims.

The invention is hereby claimed as follows:

l. A toy of the class described comprising a toy body, a sail carried bythe body and arranged in superposed relation with respect thereto, aseries of pontoons carried by the body for supporting the same in aliquid medium, said pontoons being in individual spaced relation andlying substantially within a common plane, and individual groundengagement elements adjacent each of said pontoons and projecting belowthe lower surfaces thereof whereby to engage the ground when the toy isplaced upon a solid medium.

2. A toy of the class described comprising a toy body, a sail carried bythe body and arranged in superposed relation with respect thereto, aseries of pontoons carried by the body for supporting the same in aliquid medium, said pontoons being in individual spaced relation andbeing disposed in a substantially common plane, and a Wheel carriedl byeach pontoon whereby the toy may be propelled along the surface of theground when subjected to a suitable propelling force.

3. A toy of the class described comprising a toy body, a sail carried bythe body and arranged in superposed relation with respect thereto, aseries of pontoons carried by the body for supporting the same in aliquid medium, said pontoons being in individual spaced relation andbeing disposed in a substantially common` plane, and an ice runnercarried by each of the pontoons whereby the toy may be propelled alongan ice surface when subjected to a suitable propelling force.

4. A toy of the class described comprising a toy body, a sail carried bythe body and arranged in superposed relation with respect thereto, aseries of pontoons carried by the body for supporting same in a liquidmedium, saidl pontoons being in individual spaced relation andI beingdisposed in a substantially common plane.'Y and a plurality of groundcontacting devices adapted to be interchangeably secured to the pontoonsadjacent the lower pontoon supporting surfaces thereof.

5. A structure as defined in claim l, wherein said body comprises anelongated longitudinally extending frame member and i' an elongatedtransversely extending frame member secured in relatively immovablerelation thereto to provide a T frame structure, said pontoons beingcarried adjacent either end of said transverse frame member and adjacentthe rear end of the longitudinal frame member. 1

6. A structure as defined in claim 2, wherein said body comprises anelongated longitudinally extending frame member and an elongatedtransversely extending frame member jsecured in relatively immovablerelation thereto to provide a T frame structure, said pontoons beingcarried l adjacent either end of said transverse frame member andadjacent the rear end of the longitudinal frame member.

7. A structure as defined in claim 4, wherein said body comprises anelongated longitudinally extending frame member and an elongatedtransversely extending frame member secured in relatively immovablerelation thereto to provide a T frame structure, said pontoons beingcarried adjacent either end of said transverse frame member and adjacentthe rear end of the longitudinal frame member.

WILLIAM H. PAULL.

